National Medical Council’s Guidelines on Professional Responsibilities of Students and Teachers

April 8, 2023

The National Medical Council (NMC) is an apex body responsible for regulating medical education and professionals in India. Recently, the NMC issued a set of guidelines for medical students, teachers, and institutions, outlining their professional responsibilities.

25-page document explains code of conduct

The 25-page document explains the code of conduct for teachers and students, covering topics such as the relationship between teachers and students, personal attributes and conduct, and collective responsibility towards the community. The guidelines emphasize that sexual orientation, gender, and socio-economic class should not be the basis for any discrimination.

Guidelines aim to instill responsibility

The guidelines seek to make students understand the grave responsibilities of their chosen profession. The guidelines for teachers, on the other hand, aim to remind them of their professional role in the life of a student and the nation.

Dr. Yogender Malik, a member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board of the NMC, said that the guidelines are expected to serve as a guide for medical colleges across India. He advised medical education units in medical colleges to use these guidelines to train teachers and to offer them the right atmosphere to work. The guidelines are not intended for punitive actions but to instill a sense of responsibility in medical students.

Responsibilities of medical students

Among the various listed responsibilities of medical students, the NMC emphasizes that they should be diligent about their study and research work, be responsible for their personal growth, and stay away from substance abuse. They should dress modestly and approach appropriate authorities for grievance redressal. Students’ interactions with colleagues must be free from discrimination. They should strive towards ensuring an ethical doctor-patient relationship and the maintenance public trust in the health system. The guidelines also warn students about the possible professional hazards associated with the indiscriminate use of social media.

Guidelines for teachers

The guidelines for teachers state that education is a moral enterprise. The teachers are required to ensure that students are competent, caring, empathetic, and ethical in their practice. They are also expected to be role models and should follow boundaries with their students, even during interactions on social media.

Guidelines for medical institutions

Medical institutions have been told not to give false information during inspections and accreditation processes, pressurize teachers to give false information, and apply pressure on teachers to show preference to individual candidates.

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